Job Description
Job Description
Department: Health & Social Services
Section: King Edward VII Memorial Hospital
Job Title: Chief Medical Officer
Grade: A2
Immediate Supervisor: Director of Health & Education Services
Reporting:
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) reports strategically to the Government’s Chief Executive and to the Governor and Executive Council but on a day to day basis to the Director of Health & Education.
Job Purpose:
To act as the clinical lead and chief advisor on all medical and clinical matters both within the Department of Health and Social Services and to the Falkland Islands Government and to provide General Practitioner and hospital medical services to the local population, military personnel and visiting foreign nationals and tourists, using available resources in the most effective manner.
Job Facts and Figures:
The FIG Health and Social Services Dept provides comprehensive primary, secondary and community services to a population of about 3,000 residents, plus approximately 2,000 civil and military personnel at Mount Pleasant (35 miles away) for secondary care only. It is based in a 28-bed GP-led hospital in the Islands’ capital, Stanley, and has a surgical team plus support from a range of Allied Health Professionals and a social services department. The Service follows UK practices and standards of care, modified where appropriate to meet local needs and circumstances.
The CMO will be responsible for managing c. 8 staff, and will have three sessions per week dedicated to the management role.
The CMO will have direction and impact on the medical spend of £7.5m and revenue of £2m.
Main Accountabilities of Chief Medical Officer:
The Chief Medical Officer will carry out the full duties of a Medical Officer as follows:
Provide full general practice/out-patient/obstetric (including intra-partum) and casualty care to the local population, and to military referrals in accordance with agreed arrangements.
In conjunction with the wider health and social care team, monitor, maintain and promote the health of the population.
Provide urgent and emergency medical services to visiting foreign nationals (mostly fishermen), tourists, military personnel and their dependents, treating medical problems ranging from minor to severe.
Provide in-patient medical and obstetric services to all of the above groups, aiming to treat those that can be managed within local skills and resources and to refer, as appropriate, for definitive treatment or specialist care.
Provide a police surgeon service to the Royal Falkland Islands Police Force, including forensic and supportive medical work.
Examine patients to certify fitness for insurances, pensions, etc and provide appropriate reports.
Keep patients (and/or their carers if appropriate) informed about their condition and involve them in decision making about their treatment.
Ensure the kkeeping of accurate, legible, and complete records of all consultations within the patient’s medical records in accordance with good professional practice and the requirements of the FIG health service.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality of patient, hospital and government matters.
Contribute to the development of medical and hospital practice by participating in continuing professional development, teaching, encouraging learning and promoting good practice.
Participate in healthcare governance activities including clinical audit, quality improvement processes, clinical risk management, and delivery/development of evidence-based practice.
Participate in the planning, development and evaluation of service improvements.
Deputise for absent colleagues within the GP service.
The post holder will also be expected to ensure continuing membership of a medical defense organization, remain on the General Medical Council (GMC) Register, maintain professional standards and obligations as set out from time to time by the GMC (or other registering body) and comply in particular with the GMC’s guidance on ‘Good Medical Practice’ as amended or substituted from time to time.
It is also the duty of the Chief Medical Officer to:
To manage the GP and surgical teams providing professional support and advice as required.
To act as a member of the health and social services Senior Management Team and participate in the operational and strategic management of the hospital, including planning and development of improvements to health services, in accordance with the needs of the population and available resources.
To take lead responsibility for setting, maintaining, monitoring and evaluating clinical standards in the Department of Health and Social Services, taking into account the evidence base, UK and other international best practice standards and local resources.
To advise on and participate in the development of healthcare governance systems and processes, audit and learning activities in the medical and wider health and social services team.
Identify and report regularly to government on the major health issues affecting the nation, recommending strategies for improving health and reducing the burden of disease.
Provide clear, independent and evidence-based advice to the Government on all health and medical matters, including health and safety, occupational and public health, ensuring that senior government managers and, if appropriate, H.E. the Governor and/or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are aware of relevant issues and implications.
As appropriate, to carry out the statutory functions of the Chief Medical Officer. For example these include functions under the Mental Health Ordinance and obligations relating to Public Health.
Additional Information:
• Required to participate in the on-call rota for out of hours work.
• Must hold a full, valid driving licence
• The post holder will be expected to travel to outlying islands by light aircraft as necessary. Some travel by sea may also be required, as may off-road driving.
General Person Specification:
Knowledge / Qualifications
Essential Elements
Registered and licensed to practice with the UK GMC,
GP vocational or equivalent training and a place on the GP specialist register.
Applicants should also have proven competences in obstetrics (minimum 6 months’ in a training post) with DRCOG and/or ALSO.
Desirable Elements
Evidence of training and practice in one or more of the following:
- maritime, aviation or diving medicine
- endoscopy
- ultrasonography
- emergency anaesthetic cover in the absence of a consultant anaesthetist
Advanced Trauma Life Support or equivalent trained, or a willingness to undertake training as required.
Experience
Essential Elements
Anticipated 10 years experience as a GP.
Minimum of 2 years appropriate experience of managing clinical staff.
Experience and evidence of having deployed clinical practices.
Evidence of being an excellent team player with respect for and understanding of other professional groups.
Evidence of working successfully in fast changing environment and being comfortable with dealing with conflicting interests.
Evidence of working successfully to educate and engage with a variety stakeholders.
Experience of mentoring and coaching less experienced staff.
Experience of developing health/clinical policies and procedures.
Desirable Elements
Recognised training and practical experience in another clinical area, e.g. family planning and sexual health, diabetology/endocrinology, musculoskeletal medicine, paediatrics, ophthalmology, elderly care, respiratory medicine, etc., exercised locally in accordance with the needs of the FIG health service.
Experience of Occupational Health medicine, or a willingness to undertake training as required.
Experience of using EMIS.
Experience of forming and deploying networks & teams.
Skills
Essential Elements
Able to undertake forensic medical examinations
Clear and articulate in both written and vocal communication
Able to use basic word processing and spreadsheets.
Excellent interpersonal skills which can engage any level of audience and inspire confidence and trust.
Able to deliver outcomes through a supportive, yet professional approach.
Candidates must also be flexible in their approach as an Out of Hours capability will be necessary as will adaptability to working in a close-knit community.
The possession of good time management and organisational skills.
Desirable Elements
Ability to work with and through the media
Able to work within a political environment with Elected Members.
An ability to respond effectively to public issues whilst working within Government parameters would be helpful.